Apparatus for polishing continuous strip material



D. A. WALLACE Dec. 16, 1952 APPARATUS FOR POLISHING CONTINUOUS STRIP MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1947 6 Sheet s-Sheet 1 a fl/ x 0 z z a M O M O m w M 10 s v M 4 5 M W fi fil N M 9 1 M L m 0 A I Ll 0 W m w 0 M J l J IN V EN TOR. ja/z /7 BY i wvwl l 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllall l l- INVENTOR- Jarz'i .M QZZdee.

D. A. WALLACE Dec. 16, 1952 APPARATUS FOR POLISHING CONTINUOUS STRIP MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1947 Dec. 16, 1952 o. A. WALLACE APPARATUS FOR POLISHING CONTINUOUS STRIP MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR. J J H ll dzzdce.

Dec. 16, 1952 D. A. WALLACE 2,621,445

APPARATUS FOR POLISHING CONTINUOUS STRIP MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I l .1 1 I 1 IN VEN TOR. Jd/Zia /7. W4ZZ46 3 Dec. 16, 1952 D. A. WALLACE 2,621,445

APPARATUS FOR POLISHING CONTINUOUS STRIP MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

fla/z d /7, Wzzzdce.

Dec. 16, 1952 D. A. WALLACE APPARATUS FOR POLISHING CONTINUOUS STRIP MATERIAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 2, 1947 m 3&6

- INVENTOR.

"IE H- Patented Dec. 16, 1952 APPARATUS FOR POLISHING C(PN'IINUOUS STRIP MATERIAL David A. Wallace; Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich, as-

Signor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich., a corporation of Delaware 7 Application April 2, 1947, Serial No. 738,769

This invention relates to an improved apparatus and process for polishing a continuous strip of sheet metal such as stainless steel.

More particularly the invention pertains to an apparatus and process of this kind by which a lustrous finish is provided on a ribbonlike strip of stainless steel during progressive movement of successive increments of the strip.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide in apparatus of this kind successive abrading stations at which a surface of a sheet metal strip is subjected to one or more rough abrading and fine abrading actions during continuous movement of the strip relative to the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a machine of this kind a plurality of rough and fine abrading stations which are predetermined in number with respect to the rate of movement of the strip operated upon to produce a surface finish of selected smoothness.

A further object of the invention is to provide at the rough abrading stations of the apparatus a plurality of relative rectilinear movements in diverse directions between the strip operated upon and the rough abrading elements and a plurality of relative circular movements about diverse centers between the strip and other abrading elements at the fine abrading stations.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means in polishing apparatus of this kind for applying a lubricating coolant to the surface of the strip operated upon during the rough and fine abrading operations and means for effectively removing abrading grit, metalparticles and 4 Claims.

coolant from the strip between the rough and unitary reciprocative movement of the abrading members which is of a slower rate and longer stroke than the rate and stroke respectively of "the reciprocative movement of the abrading .members relative to each other.

.Another object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary type of'fine abradin apparatus which can be radially adjusted to adaptit for finishing of strip-like work of diverse widths.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a combination of abrading actions for successively polishing a relatively continuous strip .of stainless steel at a rapid rate.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is an interrupted elevational view of an abrading machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentaryelevational end view of a rough abrading unit of the improved machine.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the rough abrading unit shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 isa fragmentary side elevational view of the rough abrading unit shown in Figs. 2 and'3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3., i

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 1-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig.

Fig. 9 is an elevational view, partly in' section of a fine abrading unit of the abradin machine illustrated in Fig. l. j

Fig. 9A- is a view, partly in section, taken on the line 9A--9A of Fig. 9,. I

Fig. 10 is a planview of the fine abrading unit shown in, Fig. ,9. e s

In the form of the invention shown in' the drawings the improved polishing apparatusincludes a support I G for a reel H on which is wrapped an elongated ribbon or strip [2 of sheet metal such .as stainless steel. The sheet metal strip l2 extends through a pair of rough finishing units I 3, through a washing unit [4: and through a pair of fine finishing units [S in the sequence recited. After the strip leaves'th'elast fine finishing unit 15 it passes through a cle'aning station generally designated by the numeral I6, and is wrapped upon a reel I! which is preferably driven by a belt l8. The belt is extends around the driving pulley I9 which is rotated by a motor or other suitable means (not shown). Rotation of the reel H is retarded by a brake band II" which acts on a brake drum [2 on the reel H in order a to controllably tension and stretch the sheet l2 during the finishing o erations. The brake band I Ii is mounted'on'anarm I3 carried by the support ID. V a

The rough finishing units l 3 are identical, and

the construction of one thereof is shown in Figs. 2 to 7 of the drawings. Each rough finishing unit l3 includes a base 26 on which is mounted a work support 2|. Abrading apparatus is disposed above the work support 2|. This abrading apparatus comprises two pairs of spaced supports 22 extending upwardly from the base member 20, as viewed in Fig. 2, on which are mounted stationary guide members generally designated by the numerals 23 and 23' disposed beyond the opposite longitudinal edges of the strip l2, respectively. The stationary guide members 23 and 23' are substantially identical and each includes a guide plate 24 having rectangular grooves 25 in its upper surfaces in each of which is reciprocably mounted a tubular bar 26. The guide plates 24 are parallel to each other and extend in the general direction of the travel of the sheet metal strip l2 which is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. In the apparatus shown, there are six reciprocable tubular bars 26 each of which are held against upward movement from the guide plates 24 by cover plates 21. Each cover plate 2'! is pivotally mounted at 28 to an upstanding support 29 which is fixed to one end of each guide plate 24 and to a support 22 by bolts 36. A similar upstanding support 3! is provided at the other end of each guide plate 24 and fixed to the end thereof and to the associated support 22 by bolts 32. The upstanding supports 3! are provided with cars 33 on which is pivoted a locking bolt 34 by which the cover plates 21 may be releasably held in superimposedrelation with respect to the tubular bars 26 to retain the latter in place.

Vertically shiftably mounted on each tubular bar 26 is a plate 35 on which are fixed a plurality of blocks 36 of abrading material or other suitable abrading elements. Each abrading element carrying plate 35 is provided with a pair of upstanding guide pins 31 which are slidably received in registering apertures 38 formed in the upper and lower side walls of each tubular bar 26. The abrading element carrying plates are also provided with a pair of upstanding threaded stems 39. Each tem 39 is shiftably mounted in a sleeve 4|] which is threaded in an aperture 4| formed in the upper wall of the bar 26. A coil spring 42 surrounds the lower portion of each threaded stem 39 and bears between the lower end of the sleeve 40 and the abrading element carrying plate 35 so as to urge the abrading elements against the sheet metal strip l2 during operation of the apparatus. The threaded sleeve 46 may be ad'justably positioned in the threaded openings 4 I; to predetermine. the compression of the springs 42 in order to predctermine the pressurev with which the abrading elements are urged against the sheet metal strip l2. A pair of nuts 43 are threaded on the upper ends of the stems 39', the lowermost nut being spaced from the upper end of the sleeve 40 as shown in Fig. 2'. These nuts serve to prevent separation of the stems 39 from the: sleeves 40 in which they are slidably received and thus retain the apparatus in an assembled state. and also limit the downward movement of the; abrading elements. 35 by the springs 42. Each of the sixtubular bars 26 are. similarlyprovided. with a row of: abrading elements which move as a unit in a manner hereinafter set forth.

The right end of each of the shiftable tubular bars 26 which carry the abrading elements 36 is connected by a connecting rod 44 with a. crank:- shaft member 45. The crankshaft. member 45 extends substantially parallel to the path of movementof thesheet metal strip [2 and is shiftably supported by and journaled in bearings generally designated by the numeral 46 in Figs. 3 and 6 which are carried by a shiftable carriage generally designated by the numeral 41. Each tubular bar 26 has a pair of cars 48 which extend from the right end thereof, as viewed in Fig. 2, to which the left end of a connecting rod 44 is pivoted by a pin 49. The other end of each connecting rod embraces an eccentric portion 56 on the crankshaft 45.

The shiftable carriage 47 includes a channel shaped body portion 48' in which are fixed spaced bearing base portions 5| having bearing caps 52 fixed thereto by threaded studs and nuts 53 and 54 respectively. The channel shaped body portion 48' of the carriage 41 has integral transversely extending blocks 55 at its opposite ends which are provided with openings 56. Bearings 51, shown in Fig. 5, in which the ends of the crankshaft are journaled are disposed in the openings 56. The blocks are shiftably mounted in brackets, generally designated by the numeral 58, which are mounted on and fixed to an upper wall 59 of a housing 60, located rightwardly as viewed in Fig. 2, of the base member 26, by bolts 6!. The brackets 58, one of which is located beyond each extremity of the crankshaft 45, are provided with inwardly extending upper and lower flanges 62 and 63 whichare received in edge notches 64 formed in the blocks 55. A strip of bearing metal 65, such as bronze or other suitable bearing alloy, is mounted on the upper side of the lower flange 63 of the bracket 58 and a similar bearing strip 66 is disposed adjacent the lower side of the flange 62. The bearing strips 63 are held in place and positioned with respect to the flanges 62 by set bolts 61 which may be fixed in an adjusted position by lock nuts 68. This structure accommodates shifting movement of the car riage 41 and crankshaft 45 mounted thereon and confines such movement to a course extending transversely of the path of movement of the strip [2.

The body portion 48 of the carriage is provided with two pairs of cars 69 which extend rightwardly therefrom, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 8. Pivotally attached to each pair of cars 69 by a pin 76 is a connecting rod H which has its right end journaled on an eccentric 12 of a crankshaft 53, respectively. The eccentrics 12 are provided on the opposite extremities of the crankshaft 13 which is journaled in spaced bearings 14 mounted on the top wall 59' of the housing 66.

The shaft 13 is provided, at a location thereon between the bearings 14, with a multiple groove pulley 15 which is driven by belts 16 which are in turn driven by a multiple groove pulley TI. The pulley TI is driven by reduction gearing, generally designated by the numeral I3, which is in turn driven by a motor 79. The crankshaft 45 is provided with a. multiple groove pulley 86 which is driven by belts 8! which is in turn driven by a multiple groove pulley 82. The pulley 82 is mounted on a shaft 83 of a motor 84.

In operation of the rough abrading apparatus, the sheet metal strip 12 is continuously moved at a selected rate predetermined by the amount of abrading to be performed thereon, and the number of rough abrading units employed while the abrading elements 36 of. each row of abrading elements carried by each tubular bar 26, are reciprocated transversely of the sheet l2 by the crankshaft 45 and respective connecting rods 44. This reciprocation of the abrading elements is preferably performed at a relatively high speed and throughout a relatively short stroke, the speed of reciprocation and the length. of stroke being predetermined by the speed of the motor 84 and the mechanism by which the drive is transmitted from it to the crankshaft 05. The length of stroke of the reciprocative movement is predetermined by the eccentrics 50 of the crankshaft d5 which are preferably angularly located relative to each other so as to impart relative reciprocative movements to the tubular bars 23. The eccentrics 53 may be of equal eccentricity or they may vary in eccentricity so as to move the respective tubular bars 25 and abrading elements 30 carried thereby throughout strokes of different lengths.

While the aligned rows of abrading elements 35 are reciprocated relative to each other. they are also reciprocated in unison with each other by rotation of the crankshaft '53 which is preferably driven at a lower rate of speed than the crankshaft G5 and which has larger eccentrics than those of the latter crankshaft. With this construction the rows of abrading elements are reciprocated relative to each other at a relatively high speed and throughout a relatively short stroke and they are simultaneously reciprocated in unison throughout a comparatively longer stroke at acomparatively slower speed. The multiple reciprocative action coupled with the progressive movement of the sheet metal strip I2 results in uniform abrading action throughout the entire area of the surface operated upon and guards against all possibility of repeated application of localized areas of any one abrading element to the same area of the work. The abrading elements 3 are yieldably urged by the springs 52 against the strip 52 with relatively light pressure, during the foregoing movements of the abrading elements.

Before the sheet metal strip I2 enters each of the rough abrading units I3, a coolant such as oil of suitable viscosity or other suitable material is sprayed upon the surface of the strip to be finished, the oil being discharged by a nozzle spray device mounted on the end of a supply pipe 86 which leads to a source of coolant (not shown). In some instances water may be en ployed as the coolant. As the strip I2 leaves the last of the series of rough abrading units I3, the surface previously operated upon is subjected to the action of scrapers 3i and a washing liquid is sprayed thereon from nozzles 83. Water may be used as the washing liquid if desired. After the last washing spray, a scraper 31 is applied to the strip I2 and, if desired, a powdered substance such as powdered chalk, talc or other suitable material is deposited upon the strip from a hopper 89. The hopper 89 preferably has an outlet 90 in which is provided suitable dispensing means BI for evenly distributing the powdered material upon the upper surface of the strip I2 as it passes under the outlet 30. The dispensing mechanism 5! may be propelled by a roller 92 carried by an arm 93 mounted on the hopper, the roller being connected by a belt 94 to a rotatable dispensing mechanism 9!. After the application of the powdered material which serves to dry the surface by absorbing any water or other washing fluid previously applied thereto, the surface of the strip I2 is vacuum cleaned by passing under vacuum heads 9 which are connected to pipes 95 leading to a source of vacuum (not shown).

, As further shown in Fig. l, a scraper 36 is applied to the strip I2 after it passes the vac- 6. uum cleaner 94 and following the application of the scraper 96 coolant is sprayed from a nozzle 91 upon the surface of the strip immediately before the strip passes under the first of a series of finishing abrading units I5.

Each abrading unit I5 comprises a base portion 08 having a work support platform 99 and a vertically upstanding back .member I00. Mounted upon the back member I00 and extending forwardly therefrom, as viewed in Fig. 1 is a fixture IOI having a tubular portion I02 extending downwardly from the fixture IOI. Provided on the lower end of the tubular portion I02 is a radial flange I03 on which is secured by bolts I03 a substantially horizontal plate member I 05. Mounted on the lower side of the plate member I05 adjacent its outer periphery is a ring gear I06 having internal gear teeth I01. The ring gear I06 is secured to the plate I05 by cap screws I08, as shown in Fig. 9.

The tubular portion I02 of the fixture is provided with a cylindrical bore I09 in which is mounted a bearing H0. The bore I09 has a concentric counterbore III in which is mounted a bearing member I I2. J ournaled in the bearing H0 is a spindle II3 which is drivingly connected to a shaft I I4 of a motor II5, the motor being mounted on the top side of the fixture IM and rigidly secured to it. The lower end portion of the tubular portion I02 and the flange I03 serve as a carriage support on which is'mounted a carriage generally designated by the numeral IIG. The carriage H6 has a central sleeve portion I II which is provided at its upper end with a flat sided projection II 8 which is receivable in a correspondingly shaped fiat sided recess I I9 formed in the lower extremity of the spindle I I3. A rotative drive is transmitted from the spindle II3 to the carriage H5 by the interfitting engagement of the projection I I8 in the recess I I9. The carriage H6 is held in assembled relation with respect to the spindle I I3 by a bolt I20 extending through the sleeve portionl I! of the carriage and into a central bore I2I of the spindle II3 to: which it is attached by threads I22 and I23 on the upper end of the bolt I20 and in the bore I2I of the spindle, respectively. I

Extending outwardly radially from the central sleeve II? of the carriage I I6 are three arms I24. Each arm I24 is provided at its extremity with a tubular element I25 having a bore I 26. Pivotally mounted on eachtubular portion I25 is a tool holder generally designated by the numeral I21 which comprises a main body portion I28 having spaccdflanges I29 provided with registered bores I30 in which is received a pin I3I. The pin I3I extends through the bore I25 of the tubular element. I25 to pivotally support the tool holder I27, as illustrated in Fig. 9. Formed integral with the upper flange I29 is a casing portion I32 having a recess I33 therein. The pin I3I extends centrally through the recess I33 and thatportion ofv the pin disposed within the recess is provided with a bearing I34 on which is journaled a sleeve .I35Ihaving pinions I30 and I37 integrally formed on its lower and upper ends respectively. The pinion I36 is disposed in the recess I33 and the pinion I 31 is disposed in a recess I 38 provided within a housing I30. Thehousing I39 is located beneath the plate I05 and is mounted on a cover plate I40 disposed over the body portion I28 of the tool holder I2Iand over the recess I33 and is screwed to the body portion I20 by bolts I4 I. The housing I39 has abore I42 providedwith a bearing I43 in which the sleeve I35 is journaled.

The pin I3I extends through the sleeve I35 and is provided with a bearing I44 disposed between the periphery of the pin and the periphery of the sleeve I35. A cap I45 is fixed by cap screws I46 on the-housing 39 and is provided with a central opening through which a reduced section I i-I on the upper end of the pin I3I extends. The reduced section I 4! is provided with a groove for receiving a C washer M8. The pin i3! is provided at its lower end with threads M9 on which is threadedanut I50 by which the tool holder may be selectively clamped in a desired position. When the bolt I59 is loosened, the tool holder may be pivotally moved with respect to the tool carriage, as hereafter more clearly set forth.

The pinion portion ISI of. the sleeve I35 is provided with teeth I5I which are meshed with the teeth m1 of the ring gear I36. The pinionportion I36 of the sleeve I35 is provided with teeth I52 which mesh with pinion teeth I53 of a pinion I54 which is keyed at I55 to a tubular shaft element I56. The tubular shaft element I56 is journaled by bearings I57 in a bore I58 formed in the body portion I 28 of the tool holder I21 in parallel relationship with respect to the pin I34. A plunger element I551 is slidably mounted in telescoping relationship in the lower end portion of the tubular shaft element I53. The plunger element I59 is provided with an elongated slot IIifi through which a pin I5! extends in order to accommodate relative longitudinal movement of the tubular shaft element and plunger while holding them against relative rotation. A spring I62 yieldably urges the plunger I59 outwardly with respect to the tubular shaft element I56.

Mounted on the lower end of. the plunger I59 is an abrading element holder generally designated by the numeral I63. This holder comprises a disc I64 having spaced cleats I55 mounted on its periphery by cap screws wt and provided with beveled surfaces I57 which are adapted to cooperate with correspondingly beveled surfaces I88 on an abrading stone, or other equivalent abrading element I69, to clampingly hold the abrading element on the lower side of the disc I64. The disc lii i is universally pivotally mounted on the lower end of the plunger I59 by hearing elements I10 and I'll secured to the plunger and disc respectively. A ball bearing element I12 is disposed between spherical surface portions of the bearing elements I10 and III. The bearing elements Hi! and HI are held in embracing relationship with respect to the ball bearing I12 by a spring I'IS surrounding the lower end portion of the plunger I53 and which bears against the bearing element I'iil on the plunger and against an inwardly extending radial flange I14 of a sleeve I75 which is attached by cap screws I73 to the upper side of the disc Hi4. The bearing elements I18 and I'll are provided with a cooperating slot and key driving connection of the type commonly referred to as a screw driver slot drive for the transmission of torque therebetween as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 9A. A slot 2M is provided in bearing element I'II which receives keys or teeth 202 carried by bearing element I'Hl so that torque is transmitted thereby while accommodating universal movement of bearing element III relative to bearing element Ilil. In the illustration shown, the carriage H6 is provided with three tool holders I21 and abrading elements I69. More or less abrading tools may be provided on the tool carriage if desired.

In operation of the fine abrading unit shown in Figs. 9 and 10', it will be noted that the ring gear I08 carrying the internal gear teeth IIJ'I remains stationary while the tool carriage I I5 is drivingly rotated by the motor IIE. Relative rotation of the tool carriage H6 and ring gear I 16 causes corresponding rotation of the sleeve I35 as a result of the meshed relationship between the teeth I5I of the pinion portion I31 of this sleeve the teeth of the ring gear I65. The lower pinion portion I 35 which has teeth I52 meshed with the teeth I53 of the pinion I55 drivingly rotates the tubular shaft element I56 and plunger I59 in the same direction about the axis of the bore I58 in which the foregoing structure is journaled as the tool carriage IIS is rotated about its axis. Thus the abrading element IE9 is simultaneously revolved about the axis of the tool carriage II6 which coincident with the central axis of the bolt I20 and rotated in the same direction about the axis of the tubular shaft element I55. While each abrading element IE9 is undergoing these multiple-rotative movements, it is being urged downwardly against the upper surface of the sheet metal strip I2, as viewed in Fig. 1, by the spring I62. The path of movement of each abrading element I89 may be independently predetermined so as to accommodate the abrading apparatus to operate upon work of different widths by loosening the bolt I59 and turning the tool holder I21 about the axis of the pin I3I to any desired angular position. This can be accomplished without affecting the meshed engagement between the teeth I5I of the pinion I31 and the teeth Ifi'I of the ring gear I655 inasmuch as the movement of the tool holder occurs about the axis of the pinion 31.

The continuous strip finishing apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 may be provided with as many fine finishing units as required, only two fine finishing units being illustrated in the drawing. Before each successively adjacent part of the strip I2 reaches the first finishing unit a lubricating type of coolant is applied thereto, as previously stated, by the spray nozzle 91. Between each pair of successive fine finishing units of the apparatus, rinse liquid such as water, or other suitable liquid, or a lubricating coolant, such as that conventionally used in finishing operations is sprayed from nozzles i'I'I upon the upper surface of the sheet I2 and. at the location of the spray nozzle Ill scrapers or wipers I78 are preferably applied to the upper surface of the sheet I2 in order to remove grit particles of abrasive or particles of the material of the sheet before the next successive fine finishing operation commences. The last spray nozzle ill on the extreme right, as viewed in Fig. 1, preferably discharges a lubricating coolant on the surface of the strip to facilitate the final finishing operation which is performed by an apparatus substantially identical to that shown in Fig. 9 although. if desired, final abrading elements may be used in this last abrading operation. After the final abrading operation, the upper surface of the sheet metal strip is again rinsed by fluid such as water sprayed from'nozzles H and the upper surface of the strip is wiped by wipers I863. The finished surface of the strip may then be dusted with a dry powder by dusting apparatus I8I substantially identical to the dusting apparatus 8e, previously described. The strip may then be cleaned by vacuum cleaners I82 which are located at the extreme right end of the apparatus and thereafter the strip is Wound upon the reel 17.

It is found that the combination of the multiplicity of reciprocative movements produced between the abrading elements 36 and the sheet metal strip l2 during the rough finishing operations and the multplicity of circular movements between the abrading elements I69 and the sheet I2 during the fine finishing operations together with the continuous longitudinal movement of the sheet l2 and the precautions taken for cleaning the strip between the successive steps of each of these operations results in formation of a surface free from scratches and having a high degree of smoothness. Since all portions of the sheet metal strip is subjected. to uniform abrading action under pressure which can be accurately predetermined, the final finish produced in this continuous manner is found to be substantially uniform throughout.

Although but one specific embodiment of'the invention is herein shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in the sequence of operations, steps and materials employed may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. I V p v l I claim: 7

1. An abrading unit comprising a base structure having a work support, a carriage support mounted on said base structurein spaced relation to said work support, a carriage rotatably mounted on said carriage support disposed be tween the latter and said work support, a spindle mounted on said carriage in spaced parallel relationship to the rotative axis thereof, a fixture including journal bearing means swingably mounted on said spindle, an abrading tool journaled in said journal bearing means including a pinion fixed thereon and an abrading element having an abrading surface disposed to operate upon work supported on said work support, a ring gear on said carriage support concentric with the path of revolving movement of said tool about the axis of said carriage, a countershaft member journaled on said spindle having teeth meshed with the teeth of said ring gear and pinion respectively for rotating said tool about its axis as said tool is revolved about the axis of said carriage, said fixture being swingably adjustable on said spindle into varying spaced relationship with respect to said rotative axis of said carriage while said ring gear, pinion and gear member are in mesh, and means operatively connected to said fixture and adapted to releasably connect said fixture to said carriage to prevent displacement of the fixture from an adjusted position relative to said carriage.

2. An abrading unit comprising a base struc ture having a work support, a carriage support mounted on said base structure in spaced relation to said work support, a carriage rotatably mounted on said carriage support disposed between the latter and said work support, a plurality of arcuately spaced spindles mounted on said carriage in parallel relationship to the rotative axis thereof, a fixture swingably mounted on each spindle and including journal bearing means, an abrading tool journaled in the journal bearing means of each of said spindles, each abrading tool having a pinion fixed on one end and an abrading element on its opposite end provided with an abrading surface disposed to operate upon work supported on said work support, a stationary ring gear on said carriage support, a counter shaft member journaled on each of said spindles having a set of gear teeth meshed with said ring gear and an axially spaced set of gear teeth meshed with a pinion of one of said tools respectively, said fixtures being swingably adjustable on said spindles into varying spaced relationship with respect to the rotative axis of said carriage while said ring gear,

pinions and sets of gear teeth are retained in mesh, and means operatively connected to each of said fixtures and adapted to releasably connect said fixtures to said carriage to prevent displacement of said fixtures from their respective adjusted positions relative to said carriage.

3. Apparatus for polishing an elongated strip of sheet-like material comprising a work support, feeding mechanism located adjacent one end ofsaid work support and operable to progressively move said sheet-like material along said; work support in the direction of its length, a rough abrading unit located adjacent the end portion of said work support along which successive portions of said strip are initially moved, said rough abrading unit including a plurality of abrading members having abrading surfaces engageable with said strip positioned in opposed relationship to said work support and including an individual eccentric drive mechanism for each of said abrading members, said drive mechanisms being operable to reciprocate said abrading members relative to each other transversely of said work support, and said drive mechanisms each being carried by a carriage shiftably mounted for movement transversely of said work support, said rough abrading unit further/including, an eccentric drive mechanism operable to reciprocate said carriage transversely of said work support to thereby reciprocate said abrading members in unison, and a fine abrading unit spaced from said rough abrading unit in the di: rection of movement of said strip, said fine abrading unit including a carriage support mounted on said work support, a carriage rotatably mounted on said carriage support in opposed relationship to said work support and rotatable about an axis intersecting the path of said strip, a spindle mounted on said last mentioned carriage in spaced parallel relationship to the rotative axis thereof, a gear drive mechanism operably connecting the carriage of said fine abrading unit and said spindle and a driving mechanism operable to rotate the carriage of said fine abrading unit and through said gear drive mechanism to rotate said spindle and an abrading member engageable with said strip and carried by said spindle in opposed relationship to said support.

4. Apparatus for polishing an elongated strip of sheet-like material comprising a, work support, feeding mechanism located adjacent one end of said work support and operable to progressively move said sheet-like material along said work support in the direction of its length, a rough abrading unit located adjacent the end portion of said work support along which successive portions of said strip are initially moved, said rough abrading unit including a plurality of abrading members having abrading surfaces engageable with said strip positioned in opposed relationship to said work support and including an individual eccentric drive mechanism for each of said abrading members, said drive mechanisms being operable to reciprocate said abrading members relative to each other transversely of said work support, and said drive mechanisms each being carried by a carriage shiftably mounted for movement transversely of said work support, said rough abrading unit further including an eccentric drive mechanism operable to reciprocate said carriage transversely of said work support to thereby reciprocate said abrading members in unison, a liquid spray nozzle positioned above said work support and spaced from said rough abrading unit in the direction of movement of said strip, pipe means connected to said nozzle and adapted to be connected to a source of supply of rinsing liquid, and drying powder dusting apparatus positioned above said work support and spaced from said nozzle in the direction of movement of said strip,said dusting apparatus comprising a hopper having an outlet located above said worksupport, a rotatable dispensing mechanism located adjacent said opening, a roller located adjacent said work support and adapted to engage said strip to be rotated by movement of said strip and drive transmitting mechanism operatively connecting said roller and said dispensing mechanism whereby movement of'the strip imparts rotation to the dispensing mechanism and said powder issues from'said outlet and drops by gravity on to said stfip. a V

DAVID A. WALLACE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 67,240 Weissenborn July 30, 1867 78,093 Hooper May 19, 1868 Number Number 12 Name Date Fischer Jan. 19, 1904 Gherky July 2, 1912 Nelson Aug. 12; 1913 Williams Sept. '7, 1915 Gherky Dec. 5', 1916 Carrie Apr. 19, 1921 Brown Dec. 14, 1926 Harrington May 29, 1928 Fox Aug. 13, 1929 Gillis Augp26, 1930 Leyland' Jan. 31, 1933 Stratford Mar. 7, 1933 Crowley June'12, 1934 Brendel Dec. 10, 1935 Indge Se'ptLfl, 1937 Spirt Aug. 29, 1939 Wallace Mai. 26, 1940 Wallace Mar. 26, 1940 Coddington May 14, 1940 Wallace' Apr. 15, 1941 Binns Sept. 30, 1941 Hamilton Jan'.6, 1942 Brown July 7, 1942 Wallace Feb. 23, 1943 FOREIGN PATENT$ C un ry Date Germany Oct. 3, 1929 France June 7, 19,27 

